McDonalds Lawsuit Information

A McDonalds lawsuit alleges eating their food is a recipe for obesity, high cholesterol and diabetes.

McDonald's Overview

Yes there actually were two men named McDonald who started the restaurant called McDonalds. Dick and Mac McDonald first got their start in San Bernardino and introduced the concept of fast food to the world with their Speedee Service System.

It caught on like wildfire and the first McDonalds mascot was a man with a chef's hat on a hamburger shaped head whose name was - you guessed it - Speedee. Ronald McDonald stepped in to take over in 1968.

The McDonalds we all know today - the franchised system - was launched in 1955 by Ray Kroc. His restaurant was actually the 9th McDonalds restaurant. Kroc bought out the McD brothers and rapidly expanded his new empire. McD's was listed on the public stock exchange by 1965. At this time there were no McDonalds lawsuits.

The McD brothers were forced to leave California thanks to Kroc deliberately opening McDonalds restaurants near every McDonald brother establishment. The original McDonald brother's restaurant is a memorial.

McDonald's popularity has sparked many media frays about corporate ethics, consumer responsibilities and obesity. McDonalds lawsuits have created a lot of public interest as well.

McDonalds Problems & Legal Issues

Not to put too fine a point on it, but the major argument with McDonalds appears to be the assertion that their food causes obesity. Obesity in turn causes a whole cascade of other physical problems including diabetes, heart problems, liver problems, kidney problems etc.

McDonalds Lawsuits

In 2003 New York lawyers had two tries at McDonalds. The first one alleged their food made people fat. The Judge threw that out and suggested they try another angle. The second trial was based on accusing the fast food giant of making misleading nutritional claims.

The second claim accused McDonalds of "deceptive practices in the advertising, processing and sale of foods, including Chicken McNuggets, Filet-O-Fish, Chicken Sandwich, french fries and hamburgers."

It was further alleged McD's doesn't make its nutritional information readily available so people know what they're really consuming (in terms of calories).

One case example cited McDonalds as saying the fish in a Filet-O-Fish is "100 percent cod with a pinch of salt to taste after cooking." The actual ingredients are modified cornstarch, dextrose, cellulose gum, citric acid and an anti-foaming agent called dimethylpolysiloxane.

In 2002 several obese teens filed a lawsuit against McD's claiming their food was responsible for making them fat. The lawsuit alleged that the fast food giant intentionally violated New York state's consumer fraud statutes by deliberately making people think their cheeseburgers and other high fat products were healthy and nutritious.

Once again the allegation was made that the company didn't adequately provide information on the known health risks of fast food. This failure to give people proper information caused the teens (and other people) to get high blood pressure, diabetes and become obese.

In 2005 McD's agreed to donate $7 million to the American Heart Association in settlement over lawsuits for the type of cooking fat it uses. They further agreed to cough up $1.5 million to raise awareness of the unhealthy effects of trans fats as settlement in another nationwide class action lawsuit.

The action further alleged that McD's had agreed in 2002 to stop using trans fats, but didn't, thus precipitating the 2005 lawsuit.

In 2006 in Los Angeles a young boy filed suit against McDonalds alleging the additives in their French fries aggravated his autism symptoms and caused digestive problems. The suit alleged fraud, negligent misrepresentation and false advertising and sought compensatory and punitive damages.

Joe Maggard, the actor who played Ronald McDonald filed a lawsuit against them in 2004 for fraud and unethical business practices. The suit had to do with McDonalds not giving him a copy of his contract for 8 years.

In 2008 McDonalds was sued by a hearing impaired Oak Brook woman who alleged she was denied service at a drive-through. Reportedly employees would not take her order but instead insisted she use the electronic speaker or come inside.

If you feel you have been misled by the nature of McDonalds advertising about its fast food, speak to an attorney familiar with this area of the law. You may have a claim for damages. Your attorney will assess your case and discuss how to file a McDonalds lawsuit.




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